# Ok, Kim Jong Un, you stupid son of a bitch **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 7, 2013, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-kim-jong-un-you-stupid-son-of-a-bitch/652288 "2013-03-07T13:40:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-kim-jong-un-you-stupid-son-of-a-bitch/652288/81 "2013-03-08T01:08:50Z")
> [@bengangmo](#): > > As to the act of agression? Let them try and claim that - let’s see the response if they actually try to shoot down one such plane. I wouldn’t think it would be pretty. For the plane? No, it wouldn’t be pretty. Regular South Korean commercial traffic has to go out of its way to fly around North Korean airspace. The sovereignty of airspace is pretty well established. Opinions may vary on a lot of things, but illegally entering North Korean airspace in order to conduct illegal acts on North Korean citizens is a big no-no. That opens up the idea you can do anything you want if you have the power. We’re supposed to be better than that now. > [@bengangmo](#): > > The cost? Yeah, It’d be expensive - but I’m betting the total cost would be cheap compared to an actual all out war and a drop in the bucket compared to what has been spent on recent adventures in Iraq. Actually, probably not. The Berlin airlift cost the equivalent of billions in current dollars. A similar operation over North Korea would be at least as expensive, especially since you can’t land cargo planes as most planes aren’t set up to drop stuff from the sky. Right now, the types of planes used for humanitarian airdrops are military cargo planes. Flying military aircraft, no matter the purpose, illegally over another country really is a huge no-no. ---
**Author:** ![Sarabellum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarabellum/32/3492_2.png) [@Sarabellum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarabellum)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-kim-jong-un-you-stupid-son-of-a-bitch/652288/82 "2013-03-08T01:30:16Z")
Would the US actually strike back with a nuclear weapon on all those poor defenseless brainwashed people? All that collateral damage? Even if we DID take a direct hit from one of their nukes (which would take a miracle, all things considered) would we really nuke Pyongyang as a matter of principal? I mean, the nukes we have at our disposal these days make the ones we dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki look like cherry bombs. And 70 years later, don’t most Americans still feel guilty about all those Japanese people killed (let’s not forget the ones that died later - very unpleasant way to go, radiation poisoning)… could we REALLY do that again? It just seems like such a bad idea. What would the rest of the world think about us? They already think we’re the United Thugs of America with the Iraq/Afghanistan war that’s been dragging on. “But THEY started it!!” is not going to impress many people for very long. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-kim-jong-un-you-stupid-son-of-a-bitch/652288/83 "2013-03-08T01:38:40Z")
> [@Projammer](#): > > I fully believe that if NK did the unimaginable that China would state they’re going on a coffee break and will stay there as long as they don’t hear nukes going off across the border. China has apparently felt that having a semi-lunatic but semi-controlled regime on its border is preferable to having a well-armed capitalist ally on its border. But if Kim keeps going off the reservation, they may rethink this position. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-kim-jong-un-you-stupid-son-of-a-bitch/652288/84 "2013-03-08T02:01:09Z")
> [@dgrdfd](#): > > Really believe its time to stop all aid and starve them out. When the people become hungry enough they’ll overthrow their own government. Really tired of this regime. Any what point do words and threats have real consequences? No they won’t. Back in the 90s something like 10% of the country starved to death. Almost everyone had family and friends starve, and from stories I’ve heard schools closed down, businesses closed, etc. Society as a whole pretty much came to a stop. Even when people did go to school the teachers would be so starved and so would the students that people just sat in silence. Fewer and fewer kids came to class as the famine went on. And the regime still stands. So it isn’t going to work. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-kim-jong-un-you-stupid-son-of-a-bitch/652288/85 "2013-03-08T02:05:18Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > China has apparently felt that having a semi-lunatic but semi-controlled regime on its border is preferable to having a well-armed capitalist ally on its border. But if Kim keeps going off the reservation, they may rethink this position. Part of the documents released by Wikileaks showed China is more open to seeing the fall of the Kim regime and a reuinified Korea under South Korea’s control (as long as the US stays south of the DMZ) since they are becoming too much of a nuisance. > **[Wikileaks cables reveal China 'ready to abandon North Korea'](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/nov/29/wikileaks-cables-china-reunified-korea)** > > Leaked dispatches show Beijing is frustrated with military actions of 'spoiled child' and increasingly favours reunified Korea > [@](#): > > The leaked North Korea dispatches detail how: > > • South Korea’s vice-foreign minister said he was told by two named senior Chinese officials that they believed Korea should be reunified under Seoul’s control, and that this view was gaining ground with the leadership in Beijing. > > • China’s vice-foreign minister told US officials that Pyongyang was behaving like a “spoiled child” to get Washington’s attention in April 2009 by carrying out missile tests. > > • A Chinese ambassador warned that North Korean nuclear activity was “a threat to the whole world’s security”. > > • Chinese officials assessed that it could cope with an influx of 300,000 North Koreans in the event of serious instability, according to a representative of an international agency, but might need to use the military to seal the border. > > In highly sensitive discussions in February this year, the-then South Korean vice-foreign minister, Chun Yung-woo, told a US ambassador, Kathleen Stephens, that younger generation Chinese Communist party leaders no longer regarded North Korea as a useful or reliable ally and would not risk renewed armed conflict on the peninsula, according to a secret cable to Washington. ---
**Author:** ![the\_diego](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@the\_diego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_diego)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-kim-jong-un-you-stupid-son-of-a-bitch/652288/86 "2013-03-08T02:12:17Z")
Just to be fair to Kim, wanting to nuke the US is not stupid at all. In fact, at least half the world wanted to since the late 1940s. ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-kim-jong-un-you-stupid-son-of-a-bitch/652288/87 "2013-03-08T02:13:02Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Why do you speak of the Dear Leader this way? Do not besmirch the memory of Dear Leader who has now joined Great Leader in the life beyond. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-kim-jong-un-you-stupid-son-of-a-bitch/652288/88 "2013-03-08T02:26:03Z")
> [@the\_diego](#): > > Just to be fair to Kim, wanting to nuke the US is not stupid at all. In fact, at least half the world wanted to since the late 1940s. We let them live on our planet and this is the gratitude. This is what we get for being Mr. Nice Guy. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-kim-jong-un-you-stupid-son-of-a-bitch/652288/89 "2013-03-08T02:29:26Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > He can’t reach us, but what about Japan? Would the US go nuclear if NK lobbed a nuke at Hokkaido? I think we probably do. Obama is many things, but a candy ass ain’t one of them. I don’t see him letting anybody start lobbing nukes at our allies without retaliation. If China and/or Russia object to us using missiles, we have the ability to deliver smaller nukes by airplane. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-kim-jong-un-you-stupid-son-of-a-bitch/652288/90 "2013-03-08T02:30:20Z")
> [@Sarabellum1976](#): > > Would the US actually strike back with a nuclear weapon on all those poor defenseless brainwashed people? All that collateral damage? Even if we DID take a direct hit from one of their nukes (which would take a miracle, all things considered) would we really nuke Pyongyang as a matter of principal? It’s not just a matter of principle, it’s self-defense. If they nuke someone, you have to stop them from doing it again. It doesn’t matter if that involves nuclear weapons or a different kind; a lot of people would die regardless. It’s not something to be wished for, but what else would any government do? ---
**Author:** ![Suil\_Dubh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85f322/32.png) [@Suil\_Dubh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suil_Dubh)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-kim-jong-un-you-stupid-son-of-a-bitch/652288/91 "2013-03-08T03:08:48Z")
In answer to the question “where does North Korea get its money?”, ironically a substantial portion comes from Japan. There is a very large North Korean population in the country, and it raises money through both legal (pachinko) and illegal (drugs, counterfeit coins and bills) means, and then sends it on to North Korea. > **[Koreans in Japan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zainichi_Korean)** > > Japanese South and North Koreans (在日韓国人・在日本朝鮮人・朝鮮人, Zainichi Kankokujin/Zainihon Chōsenjin/Chōsenjin) comprise ethnic Koreans who have permanent residency status in Japan or who have become Japanese citizens, and whose immigration to Japan originated before 1945, or who are descendants of those immigrants. They are a group distinct from South Korean nationals who have emigrated to Japan after the end of World War II and the division of Korea. > They currently constitute the second largest ethnic m... > **[Chongryon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chongryon)** > > The General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, abbreviated as Chongryon (Korean: 총련; Hanja: 總聯) or Chōsen Sōren (Japanese: 朝鮮総連), is one of two main organisations for Zainichi Koreans (Korean citizens or residents of Japan), the other being Mindan. It has close ties to North Korea and functions as North Korea's de facto embassy in Japan, as there are no diplomatic relations between the two countries. The organisation is headquartered in Chiyoda, Tokyo, and there are prefectu Mindan, offi... ---
**Author:** ![the\_diego](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@the\_diego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_diego)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-kim-jong-un-you-stupid-son-of-a-bitch/652288/92 "2013-03-08T03:18:57Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > We let them live on our planet and this is the gratitude. This is what we get for being Mr. Nice Guy. You love your kids unconditionally, even if they’re about to have you kidnapped for ransom and killed just to make a neat job of it. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-kim-jong-un-you-stupid-son-of-a-bitch/652288/93 "2013-03-08T03:28:44Z")
> [@pravnik](#): > > You mean the _Outstanding_ Leader, the Dear Leader was his father. See, this is why the guy is so pissed off all the time. Jong-un is the Supreme Leader, Jong-Il was the Dear Leader, and Il-Sung was the Great Leader. > [@Projammer](#): > > I fully believe that if NK did the unimaginable that China would state they’re going on a coffee break and will stay there as long as they don’t hear nukes going off across the border. China would join in with the attack, if for no other reason so secure themselves a role in administering the former territory of NK after the government collapses. ---
**Author:** ![the\_diego](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@the\_diego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_diego)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-kim-jong-un-you-stupid-son-of-a-bitch/652288/94 "2013-03-08T03:31:35Z")
Why didn’t you let the pompous ass overrun NK, and part of China for good measure? ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-kim-jong-un-you-stupid-son-of-a-bitch/652288/95 "2013-03-08T03:34:14Z")
I’ll also venture that a group of Chinese officials have been having some backroom talks with the US and other imterested UN members on exactly how NK is going to go down and what’s going to happen in the aftermath. Pretty much all that remains right now is to make your picks for the dead pool timeline. ETA > [@alphaboi867](#): > > China would join in with the attack, if for no other reason so secure themselves a role in administering the former territory of NK after the government collapses. Also a possibility. My thoughts were more that they would remain non-hostile until [Whatever] Leader and cabinet requested asylumn and then made them disappear. ---
**Author:** ![yanceylebeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yanceylebeef/32/12290_2.png) [@yanceylebeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yanceylebeef)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-kim-jong-un-you-stupid-son-of-a-bitch/652288/96 "2013-03-08T03:43:22Z")
[This](http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-21709917). Is a bit of escalation from the usual angry rhetoric spewed by the North. I wonder what it actually means. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-kim-jong-un-you-stupid-son-of-a-bitch/652288/97 "2013-03-08T03:44:30Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > He can’t reach us, but what about Japan? > [@Chimera](#): > > Or Guam, where we have major bases. Or my beloved Hawaii, which I’m always worrying about when this sort of news pops up out of North Korea. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-kim-jong-un-you-stupid-son-of-a-bitch/652288/98 "2013-03-08T03:49:04Z")
> [@Sarabellum1976](#): > > And 70 years later, don’t most Americans still feel guilty about all those Japanese people killed (let’s not forget the ones that died later - very unpleasant way to go, radiation poisoning)… No, not me. I don’t. > [@yanceylebeef](#): > > [This](http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-21709917). Is a bit of escalation from the usual angry rhetoric spewed by the North. > > I wonder what it actually means. Are they just _saying_ they will scrap peace pacts, close crossings etc, or have they actually done it? Talk is definitely cheap with those clowns. Let’s see what really happens. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-kim-jong-un-you-stupid-son-of-a-bitch/652288/99 "2013-03-08T04:18:34Z")
> [@Sarabellum1976](#): > > And 70 years later, don’t most Americans still feel guilty about all those Japanese people killed No. Only fuckwits feel guilty about it. It is truly a shame that people like that are allowed to breed. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-kim-jong-un-you-stupid-son-of-a-bitch/652288/100 "2013-03-08T04:20:59Z")
> [@Projammer](#): > > I suppose a better reason for them not launching against the south is that once they’ve done so, the territory would be ruined for plunder/expansion. Gotta call BS on this one. Think about it. Japan got nuked twice. Is it some mutant zombie wasteland? Heck, the US, Soviets, British, French, Chinese did HUNDREDS of above ground atomic tests. Many of which make the early bombs look like minor farts. Nukes are bad. Very bad if you get too close to them when they go off. And awhile after the blast that ain’t exactly the healthiest place to be. But it does not in general turn the place into an area where most of the population dies of cancer a short time later. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-kim-jong-un-you-stupid-son-of-a-bitch/652288.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-kim-jong-un-you-stupid-son-of-a-bitch/652288.md?page=6)